Mirror Tilt Actuation

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including a plurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of one another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elements share an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirror assembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens and mirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that light enters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an optical axis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lens elements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding the path of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the optical axis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirror assembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/231,054, filed Dec. 21, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/495,835, filed Apr. 24, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,162,191, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/068,398, filed Mar. 11, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,632,327, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/043,655, filed Oct.1, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,285,566, which claims benefit of priorityof U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/863,846, filed Aug. 8, 2013,the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This disclosure relates generally to cameras, and, more specifically, tomirror tilt actuation in cameras.

Description of the Related Art

Miniature cameras are typically used in mobile devices such ascellphones and other multifunction devices. In such devices, space is apremium and every effort is made to minimize the camera size. A zoomlens is a lens where the lens elements can be moved relative to oneanother to change the focal length of the lens. In doing so, thischanges the field of view of the lens. In addition, such a lens is mosttypically required to adjust focus for different object distances. Manydifferent configurations of zoom lens are possible. However, for atypical optical zoom lens, there are at least two lens groups that moveindependently of each other along the optical axis relative to the imagesensor, but in a relational manner to each other. There are additionallytypically further lens groups that remain stationary relative to theimage sensor.

In multifunction devices, the image captured by the image capture deviceor camera is frequently of lower quality due to the shaking of theuser's hand. Optical image stabilization (OIS) has been attempted tocompensate for this phenomenon. OIS adjusts the direction of the fieldof view of the camera to compensate for user motion. There have beenvarious schemes proposed for miniature cameras, including: ‘lens barrelshift,’ in which the complete lens is moved in directions orthogonal tothe optical axis relative to the image sensor; and ‘camera tilt,’ inwhich the lens and image sensor are together tilted relative to asupport structure. For cameras and image capture devices inmultifunction devices, neither method is practical.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

Systems and methods for mirror tilt actuation are disclosed. Someembodiments include an image sensor and a zoom lens assembly including aplurality of movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent ofone another. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elementsshare an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirrorassembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens andmirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that lightenters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an opticalaxis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lenselements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding thepath of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the opticalaxis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirrorassembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a portable multifunction device inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 3A illustrates a camera for use with in portable multifunctiondevice in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a camera for use within a portable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts a camera for use with in portable multifunction device inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a camera for use with in portable multifunctiondevice in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a camera for use with in portable multifunctiondevice in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 depicts a camera for use with in portable multifunction device inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9A illustrates a cross-sectional view of components of a lens andmirror assembly for a camera for use with in portable multifunctiondevice in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9B illustrates a cross-sectional view of components of analternative embodiment of a lens and mirror assembly for a camera foruse with in portable multifunction device in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 10A depicts a cross-sectional view of components of a lens andmirror assembly for a camera for use with in portable multifunctiondevice in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10B depicts a cross-sectional view of components of an alternativeembodiment of a lens and mirror assembly for a camera for use with inportable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a coil and magnetarrangement for a lens and mirror assembly for a camera for use with inportable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11B illustrates a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodimentof a coil and magnet arrangement for a lens and mirror assembly for acamera for use with in portable multifunction device in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 12A depicts a coil and magnet arrangement for a lens and mirrorassembly for a camera for use with in portable multifunction device inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12B depicts an alternative embodiment of a coil and magnetarrangement for a lens and mirror assembly for a camera for use with inportable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates components of a coil and magnet arrangement for alens and mirror assembly for a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 14 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate assembly of components of a camera for use within portable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 16A-16C depict assembly of components of a camera for use with inportable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 17A-17C illustrate assembly of components of a camera for use within portable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 18 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 19 illustrates components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 20 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 21A-21B illustrate components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 22 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 23 illustrates components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 24 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 25 illustrates components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 26A is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method formirror tilt actuation.

FIG. 26B is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method formirror tilt actuation.

FIG. 27 illustrates an example computer system configured to implementaspects of the system and method for mirror tilt actuation.

This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “inan embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.

“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims,this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider aclaim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units. . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from includingadditional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphicscircuitry, etc.).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicatingthat the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry)that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, theunit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the taskeven when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currentlyoperational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used withthe “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits,memory storing program instructions executable to implement theoperation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configuredto” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component.Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g.,generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware(e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) tooperate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue.“Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g.,a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g.,integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one ormore tasks.

“First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labelsfor nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering(e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuitmay be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and“second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily implythat the first value must be written before the second value.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A,such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also beingbased on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Introduction

Various embodiments of a system and method for mirror tilt actuation aredisclosed. Some embodiments include a plurality of lens elements, amirror for adjusting an optical path of light passing through the lenselements, and an actuator for tilting the mirror. In some embodiments,the actuator for tilting the mirror includes an actuator synchronized tocompensate for user hand motion to stabilize an image generated from thelight and improve quality of the image.

In some embodiments, the actuator for tilting the mirror comprises anactuator synchronized to compensate for user hand motion. In someembodiments, the actuator includes a moveable magnet, and a plurality ofstationary coils disposed around sides of the magnet. In someembodiments, the actuator is configured to receive electrical signalscausing generation of Lorentz forces that tend to tilt the magnet andmirror. In some embodiments the actuator is configured to receiveelectrical signals causing generation of Lorentz forces that tend totilt the magnet and mirror about a pivot in two substantially orthogonaltilt degrees of freedom. In some embodiments, a fringing field of themagnet includes components of magnetic field in the appropriatedirections to deliver Lorentz forces, such that when the coils areelectrically driven, said fringing field interacts with the coils atlevels on average in different directions for each coil.

Some embodiments include a miniature camera with a folded opticsarrangement, in which plural lens element have their optical axesorthogonal to a first lens element through which light entering thecamera first passes. A mirror is used to fold the optical path. Anactuator is used to tilt the mirror in an appropriate manner tocompensate for user hand motion to stabilize the image and improve imagequality.

In some embodiments, the actuator used for tilting the mirror includes amoving magnet, with four non-moving coils disposed around four sides ofthe magnet to, when driven with appropriate electric signals, generateLorentz forces that tend to tilt the magnet and mirror about a pivot intwo substantially orthogonal tilt degrees of freedom.

In some embodiments, the fringing field of the magnet includescomponents of magnetic field in the appropriate directions to deliverthe required Lorentz forces, when the coils are electrically driven. Thefringing fields that interact with the coils are on average in differentdirections for each coil.

In some embodiments, the four coils are fabricated in a single componentlayer-by-layer in sheet form using various process including plating.

In some embodiments, the actuator for tilting the mirror furtherincludes at least two hall sensors for monitoring the motion of themagnet in two orthogonal directions. In some embodiments, the actuatorfor tilting the mirror further includes a resilient spring that acts toreturn the magnet assembly including mirror to its center position, andhence acts to convert the Lorentz forces from the coils to steady statepositions.

Some embodiments include a method for mirror tilt actuation. In someembodiments, the method includes tilting a mirror for adjusting anoptical path of light passing through lens elements of the image capturedevice. In some embodiments, tilting the mirror for adjusting theoptical path of the light includes adjusting the optical path of thelight to compensate for user hand motion to stabilize an image generatedfrom the light and improve quality of the image.

In some embodiments, tilting the mirror for adjusting the optical pathof the light comprises creating electrical signals for generation ofLorentz forces that tend to tilt the magnet and mirror. In someembodiments, tilting the mirror for adjusting the optical path of thelight comprises creating electrical signals for generation of Lorentzforces that tend to tilt the magnet and mirror about a pivot in twosubstantially orthogonal tilt degrees of freedom. In some embodiments,tilting the mirror for adjusting the optical path of the light comprisesdriving coils such that a fringing field of the magnet interacts withthe coils at levels on average in different directions for each coil. Insome embodiments, the method further includes predicting a displacementof an image capture device. In some embodiments, the method furtherincludes measuring a displacement of an image capture device.

Some embodiments may include a means for mirror tilt actuation. Forexample, a mirror tilt actuation module may tilt a mirror for adjustingan optical path of light passing through lens elements of the imagecapture device, as described herein. The mirror tilt actuation modulemay in some embodiments be implemented by a non-transitory,computer-readable storage medium and one or more processors (e.g., CPUsand/or GPUs) of a computing apparatus. The computer-readable storagemedium may store program instructions executable by the one or moreprocessors to cause the computing apparatus to tilt a mirror foradjusting an optical path of light passing through lens elements of theimage capture device, as described herein. Other embodiments of anmirror tilt actuation module may be at least partially implemented byhardware circuitry and/or firmware stored, for example, in anon-volatile memory.

Some embodiments enable an image capture device to tilt such a mirror todeliver the Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) function. The mirror tiltapproach of the presented embodiments somewhat avoids adding theperspective distortion inherent in the lens shift approaches. Thisapproach also has the advantage of reducing the space taken up by theOIS actuator.

Some embodiments include a camera. In some embodiments, the cameraincludes an image sensor, and a zoom lens assembly including a pluralityof movable lens elements arranged to be moved independent of oneanother. In some embodiments, the plurality of movable lens elementsshare an optical axis. Some embodiments include a lens and mirrorassembly for admitting light to the miniature camera. The lens andmirror assembly includes a folded optics arrangement such that lightenters the lens and mirror assembly through a first lens with an opticalaxis of the first lens orthogonal to the plurality of moveable lenselements. The lens and mirror assembly includes a mirror for folding thepath of light from the optical axis of the first lens to the opticalaxis of the plurality of movable lens elements, and the lens and mirrorassembly further includes an actuator for tilting the mirror.

In some embodiments, the actuator is attached to a driver circuit fortilting the mirror to compensate for user hand motion. In someembodiments the actuator is attached to a driver circuit for tilting themirror to stabilize an image captured by the image sensor. In someembodiments, the actuator used for tilting the mirror includes a movingmagnet, and four non-moving coils disposed around four sides of themagnet. When driven with electric signals, the four non-moving coilsgenerate Lorentz forces that tend to tilt the magnet and the mirror.

In some embodiments, the actuator used for tilting the mirror includes amoving magnet, and four non-moving coils disposed around four sides ofthe magnet. When driven with electric signals, the four non-moving coilsgenerate Lorentz forces that tend to tilt the magnet and the mirrorabout a pivot.

In some embodiments, the actuator used for tilting the mirror includes amoving magnet, and four non-moving coils disposed around four sides ofthe magnet. When driven with electric signals, the four non-moving coilsgenerate Lorentz forces that tend to tilt the magnet and the mirrorabout a pivot. In some embodiments, the fringing field of the movingmagnet includes components of magnetic field in the appropriatedirections to deliver the Lorentz forces, when the coils areelectrically driven, wherein said fringing field that interact with thecoils are on average in different directions for each coil.

In some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of lens elements, amirror for adjusting an optical path of light passing through the lenselements, and an actuator for tilting the mirror. In some embodiments,the actuator used for tilting the mirror includes a moving magnet, andfour non-moving coils disposed around four sides of the magnet. Whendriven with electric signals, the four non-moving coils generate Lorentzforces that tend to tilt the magnet and the mirror about a pivot. Insome embodiments, the four coils are fabricated in a single componentlayer-by-layer in sheet form using various process including plating.

In some embodiments, the actuator for tilting the mirror furthercomprises at least two hall sensors for monitoring the motion of themagnet in two orthogonal directions. In some embodiments, the actuatorfor tilting the mirror further comprises a resilient spring that acts toreturn the magnet assembly including mirror to its center position, andhence acts to convert the Lorentz forces from the coils to steady statepositions. In some embodiments, the actuator for tilting the mirrorincludes an actuator synchronized to compensate for user hand motion tostabilize an image generated from the light and improve quality of theimage. In some embodiments, the actuator for tilting the mirrorcomprises an actuator synchronized to compensate for user hand motion.

In some embodiments, the actuator includes a moveable magnet, and aplurality of stationary coils disposed around sides of the magnet. Insome embodiments, the actuator is configured to receive electricalsignals causing generation of Lorentz forces that tend to tilt themagnet and mirror. In some embodiments, is configured to be receivingelectrical signals causing generation of Lorentz forces that tend totilt the magnet and mirror about a pivot in two substantially orthogonaltilt degrees of freedom. In some embodiments, a fringing field of themagnet includes components of magnetic field in the appropriatedirections to deliver Lorentz forces, such that when the coils areelectrically driven, said fringing field interacts with the coils atlevels on average in different directions for each coil.

Some embodiments include a method for operating camera components. Themethod includes receiving input representing motion of an image capturedevice, and tilting a mirror for adjusting an optical path of lightpassing through lens elements of the image capture device to compensatefor the motion.

Some embodiments include non-transitory, computer-readable storagemedium, storing program instructions executable on a computer toimplement receiving input representing motion of an image capturedevice, and tilting a mirror for adjusting an optical path of lightpassing through lens elements of the image capture device to compensatefor the motion.

Multifunction Device

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that some embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks havenot been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspectsof the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed asecond contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a firstcontact, without departing from the intended scope. The first contactand the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the samecontact.

The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. As used in the description and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willalso be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to andencompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon”or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” dependingon the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [astated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upondetermining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [thestated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the statedcondition or event],” depending on the context.

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Other portable electronic devices, such aslaptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitive surfaces (e.g., touchscreen displays and/or touch pads), may also be used. It should also beunderstood that, in some embodiments, the device is not a portablecommunications device, but is a desktop computer with a touch-sensitivesurface (e.g., a touch screen display and/or a touch pad). In someembodiments, the device is a gaming computer with orientation sensors(e.g., orientation sensors in a gaming controller).

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device may include one or moreother physical user-interface devices, such as a physical keyboard, amouse and/or a joystick.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one ormore of the following: a drawing application, a presentationapplication, a word processing application, a website creationapplication, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheet application, agaming application, a telephone application, a video conferencingapplication, an e-mail application, an instant messaging application, aworkout support application, a photo management application, a digitalcamera application, a digital video camera application, a web browsingapplication, a digital music player application, and/or a digital videoplayer application.

The various applications that may be executed on the device may use atleast one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the device maybe adjusted and/or varied from one application to the next and/or withina respective application. In this way, a common physical architecture(such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the device may support thevariety of applications with user interfaces that are intuitive andtransparent to the user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices. FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating portable multifunction device 100 withtouch-sensitive displays 112 in accordance with some embodiments.Touch-sensitive display 112 is sometimes called a “touch screen” forconvenience, and may also be known as or called a touch-sensitivedisplay system. Device 100 may include memory 102 (which may include oneor more computer readable storage mediums), memory controller 122, oneor more processing units (CPU's) 120, peripherals interface 118, RFcircuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, microphone 113,input/output (I/O) subsystem 106, other input or control devices 116,and external port 124. Device 100 may include one or more opticalsensors 164. These components may communicate over one or morecommunication buses or signal lines 103.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 100 may have more orfewer components than shown, may combine two or more components, or mayhave a different configuration or arrangement of the components. Thevarious components shown in FIG. 1 may be implemented in hardware,software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one ormore signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Memory 102 may include high-speed random access memory and may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memorydevices. Access to memory 102 by other components of device 100, such asCPU 120 and the peripherals interface 118, may be controlled by memorycontroller 122.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU 120 and memory 102. The one or moreprocessors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions fordevice 100 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU 120, and memorycontroller 122 may be implemented on a single chip, such as chip 104. Insome other embodiments, they may be implemented on separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 may include well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 108 may communicate with networks, such as the Internet, alsoreferred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet and/or a wirelessnetwork, such as a cellular telephone network, a wireless local areanetwork (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network (MAN), and otherdevices by wireless communication. The wireless communication may useany of a variety of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies, including but not limited to Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), high-speeddownlink packet access (HSDPA), high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA),wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), code division multipleaccess (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/orIEEE 802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocolfor e-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or postoffice protocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messagingand presence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for InstantMessaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messagingand Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or anyother suitable communication protocol, including communication protocolsnot yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to anelectrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111.Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves.Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted bymicrophone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data may be retrievedfrom and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108 byperipherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110 alsoincludes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jack providesan interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, suchas touch screen 112 and other input control devices 116, to peripheralsinterface 118. I/O subsystem 106 may include display controller 156 andone or more input controllers 160 for other input or control devices.The one or more input controllers 160 receive/send electrical signalsfrom/to other input or control devices 116. The other input controldevices 116 may include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons, rockerbuttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels, and soforth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s) 160 may becoupled to any (or none) of the following: a keyboard, infrared port,USB port, and a pointer device such as a mouse. The one or more buttons(e.g., 208, FIG. 2) may include an up/down button for volume control ofspeaker 111 and/or microphone 113. The one or more buttons may include apush button (e.g., 206, FIG. 2).

Touch-sensitive display 112 provides an input interface and an outputinterface between the device and a user. Display controller 156 receivesand/or sends electrical signals from/to touch screen 112. Touch screen112 displays visual output to the user. The visual output may includegraphics, text, icons, video, and any combination thereof (collectivelytermed “graphics”). In some embodiments, some or all of the visualoutput may correspond to user-interface objects.

Touch screen 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensor or set of sensorsthat accepts input from the user based on haptic and/or tactile contact.Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 (along with any associatedmodules and/or sets of instructions in memory 102) detect contact (andany movement or breaking of the contact) on touch screen 112 andconverts the detected contact into interaction with user-interfaceobjects (e.g., one or more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) thatare displayed on touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, a pointof contact between touch screen 112 and the user corresponds to a fingerof the user.

Touch screen 112 may use LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, LPD(light emitting polymer display) technology, or LED (light emittingdiode) technology, although other display technologies may be used inother embodiments. Touch screen 112 and display controller 156 maydetect contact and any movement or breaking thereof using any of avariety of touch sensing technologies now known or later developed,including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, andsurface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensorarrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contactwith touch screen 112. In an exemplary embodiment, projected mutualcapacitance sensing technology is used, such as that found in theiPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

The user may make contact with touch screen 112 using any suitableobject or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger, and so forth. In someembodiments, the user interface is designed to work primarily withfinger-based contacts and gestures, which can be less precise thanstylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger on thetouch screen. In some embodiments, the device translates the roughfinger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command forperforming the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100 mayinclude a touchpad (not shown) for activating or deactivating particularfunctions. In some embodiments, the touchpad is a touch-sensitive areaof the device that, unlike the touch screen, does not display visualoutput. The touchpad may be a touch-sensitive surface that is separatefrom touch screen 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surfaceformed by the touch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 162 may include a power management system, oneor more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current (AC)), arecharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a power converteror inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emitting diode(LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 100 may also include one or more optical sensors 164. FIG. 1shows an optical sensor coupled to optical sensor controller 159 in I/Osubsystem 106. Optical sensor 164 may include charge-coupled device(CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)phototransistors. Optical sensor 164 receives light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143(also called a camera module), optical sensor 164 may capture stillimages or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor is located onthe back of device 100, opposite touch screen display 112 on the frontof the device, so that the touch screen display may be used as aviewfinder for still and/or video image acquisition. In someembodiments, another optical sensor is located on the front of thedevice so that the user's image may be obtained for videoconferencingwhile the user views the other video conference participants on thetouch screen display.

Device 100 may also include one or more proximity sensors 166. FIG. 1shows proximity sensor 166 coupled to peripherals interface 118.Alternately, proximity sensor 166 may be coupled to input controller 160in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor turnsoff and disables touch screen 112 when the multifunction device isplaced near the user's ear (e.g., when the user is making a phone call).

Device 100 includes one or more orientation sensors 168. In someembodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one or moreaccelerometers (e.g., one or more linear accelerometers and/or one ormore rotational accelerometers). In some embodiments, the one or moreorientation sensors include one or more gyroscopes. In some embodiments,the one or more orientation sensors include one or more magnetometers.In some embodiments, the one or more orientation sensors include one ormore of global positioning system (GPS), Global Navigation SatelliteSystem (GLONASS), and/or other global navigation system receivers. TheGPS, GLONASS, and/or other global navigation system receivers may beused for obtaining information concerning the location and orientation(e.g., portrait or landscape) of device 100. In some embodiments, theone or more orientation sensors include any combination oforientation/rotation sensors. FIG. 1 shows the one or more orientationsensors 168 coupled to peripherals interface 118. Alternately, the oneor more orientation sensors 168 may be coupled to an input controller160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, information is displayedon the touch screen display in a portrait view or a landscape view basedon an analysis of data received from the one or more orientationsensors.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102include operating system 126, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, text input module (or setof instructions) 134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set ofinstructions) 135, arbiter module 158 and applications (or sets ofinstructions) 136. Device/global internal state 157 includes one or moreof: active application state, indicating which applications, if any, arecurrently active; display state, indicating what applications, views orother information occupy various regions of touch screen display 112;sensor state, including information obtained from the device's varioussensors and input control devices 116; state information that indicateswhich processes control output of shared audio or visual resource of avehicle; ownership transition conditions of the shared audio or visualresource; and location information concerning the device's locationand/or attitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., Darwin, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or anembedded operating system such as VxWorks or RTXC) includes varioussoftware components and/or drivers for controlling and managing generalsystem tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control, powermanagement, etc.) and facilitates communication between various hardwareand software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 124 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/orexternal port 124. External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB),FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices orindirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.).

Contact/motion module 130 may detect contact with touch screen 112 (inconjunction with display controller 156) and other touch sensitivedevices (e.g., a touchpad or physical click wheel). Contact/motionmodule 130 includes various software components for performing variousoperations related to detection of contact, such as determining ifcontact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-down event), determiningif there is movement of the contact and tracking the movement across thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one or more finger-draggingevents), and determining if the contact has ceased (e.g., detecting afinger-up event or a break in contact). Contact/motion module 130receives contact data from the touch-sensitive surface. Determiningmovement of the point of contact, which is represented by a series ofcontact data, may include determining speed (magnitude), velocity(magnitude and direction), and/or an acceleration (a change in magnitudeand/or direction) of the point of contact. These operations may beapplied to single contacts (e.g., one finger contacts) or to multiplesimultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). Insome embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and display controller 156detect contact on a touchpad.

Contact/motion module 130 may detect a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns. Thus, a gesture may be detected by detecting a particularcontact pattern. For example, detecting a finger tap gesture includesdetecting a finger-down event followed by detecting a finger-up (liftoff) event at the same position (or substantially the same position) asthe finger-down event (e.g., at the position of an icon). As anotherexample, detecting a finger swipe gesture on the touch-sensitive surfaceincludes detecting a finger-down event followed by detecting one or morefinger-dragging events, and subsequently followed by detecting afinger-up (lift off) event.

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch screen 112 or other display,including components for changing the intensity of graphics that aredisplayed. As used herein, the term “graphics” includes any object thatcan be displayed to a user, including without limitation text, webpages, icons (such as user-interface objects including soft keys),digital images, videos, animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic may be assigned a corresponding code.Graphics module 132 receives, from applications etc., one or more codesspecifying graphics to be displayed along with, if necessary, coordinatedata and other graphic property data, and then generates screen imagedata to output to display controller 156.

Text input module 134, which may be a component of graphics module 132,provides soft keyboards for entering text in various applications (e.g.,contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, and any other applicationthat needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 may include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact        list);    -   telephone module 138;    -   video conferencing module 139;    -   e-mail client module 140;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   workout support module 142;    -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 144;    -   browser module 147;    -   calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which may include one or more of: weather        widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 149-3,        alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and other        widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created widgets        149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which may be made up of a        video module and a music module;    -   notes module 153;    -   map module 154; and/or    -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that may be stored in memory 102include other word processing applications, other image editingapplications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, contactsmodule 137 may be used to manage an address book or contact list (e.g.,stored in application internal state 192 of contacts module 137 inmemory 102), including: adding name(s) to the address book; deletingname(s) from the address book; associating telephone number(s), e-mailaddress(es), physical address(es) or other information with a name;associating an image with a name; categorizing and sorting names;providing telephone numbers or e-mail addresses to initiate and/orfacilitate communications by telephone 138, video conference 139, e-mail140, or IM 141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, contact module130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, telephone module138 may be used to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to atelephone number, access one or more telephone numbers in address book137, modify a telephone number that has been entered, dial a respectivetelephone number, conduct a conversation and disconnect or hang up whenthe conversation is completed. As noted above, the wirelesscommunication may use any of a variety of communications standards,protocols and technologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, andcommunication module 128, arbiter module 158 negotiates control of ashared audio or visual resource of an automobile. A request for controlof a shared audio or visual resource of the vehicle is received atarbiter module 158. Arbiter module 158 maintains existing stateinformation for ownership of the shared audio or visual resource andownership transition conditions of the shared audio or visual resource.The request for control of the shared audio or visual resource of thevehicle is received from one of a plurality of processes including aprocess executing on an embedded system attached to the vehicle and aprocess executing on a mobile computing device (portable multifunctiondevice 100) temporarily communicating with the vehicle. New stateinformation regarding ownership of the shared audio or visual resourceis determined by arbiter module 158 based at least in part on therequest for control and the ownership transition conditions. The newstate information indicates which of the processes controls output ofthe shared audio or visual resource of the vehicle. New ownershiptransition conditions of the shared audio or visual resource aredetermined by arbiter module 158 and communicated to a controllerinterface of the shared audio or visual resource.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch screen 112, display controller 156, optical sensor164, arbiter module 158, contact module 130, graphics module 132, textinput module 134, contact list 137, and telephone module 138,videoconferencing module 139 includes executable instructions toinitiate, conduct, and terminate a video conference between a user andone or more other participants in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executable instructions tocreate, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response to userinstructions. In conjunction with image management module 144, e-mailclient module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mails withstill or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, the instant messaging module 141 includes executableinstructions to enter a sequence of characters corresponding to aninstant message, to modify previously entered characters, to transmit arespective instant message (for example, using a Short Message Service(SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol for telephony-basedinstant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, or IMPS for Internet-basedinstant messages), to receive instant messages and to view receivedinstant messages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or receivedinstant messages may include graphics, photos, audio files, video filesand/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers toboth telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) andInternet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, orIMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and music player module 146,workout support module 142 includes executable instructions to createworkouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/or calorie burning goals);communicate with workout sensors (sports devices); receive workoutsensor data; calibrate sensors used to monitor a workout; select andplay music for a workout; and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, opticalsensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 159, contact module 130,graphics module 132, and image management module 144, camera module 143includes executable instructions to capture still images or video(including a video stream) and store them into memory 102, modifycharacteristics of a still image or video, or delete a still image orvideo from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, and cameramodule 143, image management module 144 includes executable instructionsto arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwise manipulate, label, delete,present (e.g., in a digital slide show or album), and store still and/orvideo images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, browser module 147 includes executable instructions tobrowse the Internet in accordance with user instructions, includingsearching, linking to, receiving, and displaying web pages or portionsthereof, as well as attachments and other files linked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module 147, calendarmodule 148 includes executable instructions to create, display, modify,and store calendars and data associated with calendars (e.g., calendarentries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149 aremini-applications that may be downloaded and used by a user (e.g.,weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget 1493, alarmclock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or created by the user(e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS (CascadingStyle Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In some embodiments, a widgetincludes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) file and a JavaScript file(e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and browser module 147, the widget creator module 150 may beused by a user to create widgets (e.g., turning a user-specified portionof a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134,search module 151 includes executable instructions to search for text,music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102 that matchone or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specified searchterms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, video and music playermodule 152 includes executable instructions that allow the user todownload and play back recorded music and other sound files stored inone or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, and executableinstructions to display, present or otherwise play back videos (e.g., ontouch screen 112 or on an external, connected display via external port124). In some embodiments, device 100 may include the functionality ofan MP3 player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.).

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display controller 156, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134, notes module153 includes executable instructions to create and manage notes, to dolists, and the like in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch screen 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, map module 154 maybe used to receive, display, modify, and store maps and data associatedwith maps (e.g., driving directions; data on stores and other points ofinterest at or near a particular location; and other location-baseddata) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch screen 112, display system controller 156,contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry 110, speaker111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140,and browser module 147, online video module 155 includes instructionsthat allow the user to access, browse, receive (e.g., by streamingand/or download), play back (e.g., on the touch screen or on anexternal, connected display via external port 124), send an e-mail witha link to a particular online video, and otherwise manage online videosin one or more file formats, such as H.264. In some embodiments, instantmessaging module 141, rather than e-mail client module 140, is used tosend a link to a particular online video.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 102 maystore a subset of the modules and data structures identified above.Furthermore, memory 102 may store additional modules and data structuresnot described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device100, the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons,dials, and the like) on device 100 may be reduced.

The predefined set of functions that may be performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad include navigation between userinterfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by the user,navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that may be displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, thetouchpad may be referred to as a “menu button.” In some otherembodiments, the menu button may be a physical push button or otherphysical input control device instead of a touchpad.

While a portable or mobile computing device is shown as one embodimentof a multifunction device, one of skill in the art will readily realizein light of having read the current disclosure that a desktop computeror other computing device may also perform many of the functionsdescribed herein without departing from the scope and intent of thepresent disclosure. Likewise, while touch screen devices are shown asone embodiment of a multifunction device, one of skill in the art willreadily realize in light of having read the current disclosure that adesktop computer or other computing device without a touch screen mayalso perform many of the functions described herein without departingfrom the scope and intent of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 in accordancewith some embodiments. The touch screen may display one or more graphicswithin user interface (UI) 200. In this embodiment, as well as othersdescribed below, a user may select one or more of the graphics by makinga gesture on the graphics, for example, with one or more fingers 202(not drawn to scale in the figure) or one or more styluses 203 (notdrawn to scale in the figure).

Device 100 may also include one or more physical buttons, such as “home”or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204 may be usedto navigate to any application 136 in a set of applications that may beexecuted on device 100. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the menubutton is implemented as a soft key in a GUI displayed on touch screen112.

In one embodiment, device 100 includes touch screen 112, menu button204, push button 206 for powering the device on/off and locking thedevice, volume adjustment button(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module(SIM) card slot 210, head set jack 212, and docking/charging externalport 124. Push button 206 may be used to turn the power on/off on thedevice by depressing the button and holding the button in the depressedstate for a predefined time interval; to lock the device by depressingthe button and releasing the button before the predefined time intervalhas elapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process.

In an alternative embodiment, device 100 also may accept verbal inputfor activation or deactivation of some functions through microphone 113.

Example Camera Hardware

FIG. 3A illustrates a camera for use with in portable multifunctiondevice in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 3A shows across-sections through the optical stack of the camera (image capturedevice package 300 a), including a color-splitting prism 310 a, an imagesensor substrate assembly 320 a, a zoom second moving lens group 330 a,a zoom first moving lens group 340 a, a mirror 350 a and an opticalimage stabilization mechanism 360 a. FIG. 3A shows zoom second movinglens group 330 a and zoom first moving lens group 340 a in a firstposition for a zoom lens ratio. Mirror 350 a is used to fold the optics,and is nominally mounted at 45 degrees to the optical axis of all thelens elements. FIG. 3A also illustrates the triangular section intowhich optical image stabilization mechanism 360 a to tilt mirror 350 ais fitted. As can be observed in FIG. 3A, the substrate assembly 320 ais made up of three image sensors 370 a and a prism 310 a, which splitsthe light into three color components, directing one color to each imagesensor. This tri-sensor arrangement is very efficient as little light iswasted in color filters, and hence minimizes the lens size for a givencombined image sensor surface area.

FIG. 3B illustrates an alternative embodiment of a camera for use within portable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.FIG. 3B shows a cross-sections through the optical stack of the camera(image capture device package 300 b), including a color-splitting prism310 b, an image sensor substrate assembly 320 b, a zoom second movinglens group 330 b, a zoom first moving lens group 340 b, a mirror 350 band an optical image stabilization mechanism 360 b. FIG. 3B shows zoomsecond moving lens group 330 b and zoom first moving lens group 340 b ina first position for a zoom lens ratio. Mirror 350 b is used to fold theoptics, and is nominally mounted at 45 degrees to the optical axis ofall the lens elements. FIG. 3B also illustrates the triangular sectioninto which optical image stabilization mechanism 360 b to tilt mirror350 b is fitted. As can be observed in FIG. 3B, the substrate assembly320 b is made up of three image sensors 370 b and a prism 310 b, whichsplits the light into three color components, directing one color toeach image sensor. This tri-sensor arrangement is very efficient aslittle light is wasted in color filters, and hence minimizes the lenssize for a given combined image sensor surface area.

FIG. 4 depicts a camera for use with in portable multifunction device inaccordance with some embodiments. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sections throughthe optical stack of the camera (image capture device package 400),including a color-splitting prism 410, an image sensor substrateassembly 420, a zoom second moving lens group 430, a zoom first movinglens group 440, a mirror 450 and an optical image stabilizationmechanism 460. FIG. 4 shows zoom second moving lens group 430 and zoomfirst moving lens group 440 in a second position for a zoom lens ratio.Mirror 450 is used to fold the optics, and is nominally mounted at 45degrees to the optical axis of all the lens elements. FIG. 4 alsoillustrates the triangular section into which optical imagestabilization mechanism 460 to tilt mirror 450 is fitted. As can beobserved in FIG. 4, the substrate assembly 420 is made up of three imagesensors 470 and a prism 410, which splits the light into three colorcomponents, directing one color to each image sensor. This tri-sensorarrangement is very efficient as little light is wasted in colorfilters, and hence minimizes the lens size for a given combined imagesensor surface area.

FIG. 5 illustrates a camera for use with in portable multifunctiondevice in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 5 shows across-sections through the optical stack of the camera (image capturedevice package 500), including a color-splitting prism 510, an imagesensor substrate assembly 520, a zoom second moving lens group 530, azoom first moving lens group 540, a mirror 550 and an optical imagestabilization mechanism 560. FIG. 5 shows zoom second moving lens group530 and zoom first moving lens group 540 in a first position for a zoomlens ratio. Mirror 550 is used to fold the optics, and is nominallymounted at 45 degrees to the optical axis of all the lens elements. FIG.5 also illustrates the triangular section into which optical imagestabilization mechanism 560 to tilt mirror 550 is fitted. As can beobserved in FIG. 5, the substrate assembly 520 is made up of three imagesensors 570 and a prism 510, which splits the light into three colorcomponents, directing one color to each image sensor. This tri-sensorarrangement is very efficient as little light is wasted in colorfilters, and hence minimizes the lens size for a given combined imagesensor surface area.

FIG. 6 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. A lens andmirror assembly 620, a zoom lens assembly 630, and an image sensorassembly are shown as components of an image capture device package 600,which connects to other components of a multifunction device by means ofa PCB external connector 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates a camera for use with in portable multifunctiondevice in accordance with some embodiments. A lens and mirror assembly720, a zoom lens assembly 730, and an image sensor assembly are shown ascomponents of an image capture device package 700, which connects toother components of a multifunction device by means of a PCB externalconnector 710. In some embodiments image capture device package 700 hasdimensions X=28.5 mm, Y=8.45 mm, Z=5.7 mm, and Z=6.8 mm where the lensemerges. Note that the camera is generally thin in Z, minimally wide inY, but long in X. Whilst in general, size for the camera should beminimized when used in mobile devices, these dimensions are consistentwith the an embodiment of design constraints, where minimizing Z is mostimportant, Y is important, and X is relatively less important.

FIG. 8 depicts a camera for use with in portable multifunction device inaccordance with some embodiments. A lens and mirror assembly 820, a zoomlens assembly 830, and an image sensor assembly are shown as componentsof an image capture device package 800, which connects to othercomponents of a multifunction device by means of a PCB externalconnector 810. In some embodiments image capture device package 800 hasdimensions X=28.5 mm, Y=8.45 mm, Z=5.7 mm, and Z=6.8 mm where the lensemerges. Note that the camera is generally thin in Z, minimally wide inY, but long in X. Whilst in general, size for the camera should beminimized when used in mobile devices, these dimensions are consistentwith the an embodiment of design constraints, where minimizing Z is mostimportant, Y is important, and X is relatively less important.

FIG. 9A illustrates a cross-sectional view of components of a lens andmirror assembly for a camera for use with in portable multifunctiondevice in accordance with some embodiments. Lens and mirror assembly 900a includes an FP coil 910 a, a pivot 920 a, a magnet 930 a, a mirror 940a and a hall sensor 950 a. FIG. 9A shows a cross-sectional view throughthe lens and mirror assembly 900 a assembly, showing the OIS actuatorarchitecture. Magnet 930 a is configured to move with the mirror 940 a.The lens and mirror assembly 900 a incorporates a pivot point 920 aabout which the mirror 940 a tilts, and includes a resilient spring 960a to convert the force for the VCM actuators to a position of the mirror940 a. There are four coils 910 a mounted to the fixed OIS chassis 970 aportion of the assembly 900 a. These are disposed around the four sidesof the magnet. When appropriately driven with electrical signals, theLorentz forces generated between the coils 910 a and magnet 930 agenerate the tilting forces.

FIG. 9B illustrates a cross-sectional view of components of analternative embodiment of a lens and mirror assembly for a camera foruse with in portable multifunction device in accordance with someembodiments. Lens and mirror assembly 900 b includes an FP coil 910 b, apivot 920 b, a magnet 930 b, a mirror 940 b and a hall sensor 950 b.FIG. 9B shows a cross-sectional view through the lens and mirrorassembly 900 b assembly, showing the OIS actuator architecture. Magnet930 b is configured to move with the mirror 940 b. The lens and mirrorassembly 900 b incorporates a pivot point 920 b about which the mirror940 b tilts, and includes a resilient spring 960 b to convert the forcefor the VCM actuators to a position of the mirror 940 b. There are fourcoils 910 b mounted to the fixed OIS chassis 970 b portion of theassembly 900 b. These are disposed around the four sides of the magnet.When appropriately driven with electrical signals, the Lorentz forcesgenerated between the coils 910 b and magnet 930 b generate the tiltingforces.

FIG. 10A depicts a cross-sectional view of components of a lens andmirror assembly for a camera for use with in portable multifunctiondevice in accordance with some embodiments. Lens and mirror assembly1000 a includes an FP coil 1010 a, a pivot 1020 a, a magnet 1030 a, amirror 1040 a and a hall sensor 1050 a. FIG. 10A shows a cross-sectionalviews through the lens and mirror assembly 1000 a assembly, showing theOIS actuator architecture. Magnet 1030 a is configured to move with themirror 1040 a. The lens and mirror assembly 1000 a incorporates a pivotpoint 1020 a about which the mirror 1040 a tilts, and includes aresilient spring 1060 a to convert the force for the VCM actuators to aposition of the mirror 1040 a. There are four coils 1010 a mounted tothe fixed OIS chassis 1070 a portion of the assembly 1000 a. These aredisposed around the four sides of the magnet. When appropriately drivenwith electrical signals, the Lorentz forces generated between the coils1010 a and magnet 1030 a generate the tilting forces.

FIG. 10B depicts a cross-sectional view of components of an alternativeembodiment of a lens and mirror assembly for a camera for use with inportable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. Lensand mirror assembly 1000 a includes an FP coil 1010 a, a pivot 1020 a, amagnet 1030 a, a mirror 1040 a and a hall sensor 1050 a. FIG. 10B showsa cross-sectional views through the lens and mirror assembly 1000 aassembly, showing the OIS actuator architecture. Magnet 1030 a isconfigured to move with the mirror 1040 a. The lens and mirror assembly1000 a incorporates a pivot point 1020 a about which the mirror 1040 atilts, and includes a resilient spring 1060 a to convert the force forthe VCM actuators to a position of the mirror 1040 a. There are fourcoils 1010 a mounted to the fixed OIS chassis 1070 a portion of theassembly 1000 a. These are disposed around the four sides of the magnet.When appropriately driven with electrical signals, the Lorentz forcesgenerated between the coils 1010 a and magnet 1030 a generate thetilting forces.

FIG. 11A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a coil and magnetarrangement for a lens and mirror assembly for a camera for use with inportable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. Achassis 1170 a is attached to a magnet 1130 a, hall sensors 1150 a andFP coils 1110 a. FIG. 11A shows in more detail how the coils 1110 a andmagnet 1130 a (and hall sensors 1150 a used to detect or measure theposition of the magnet 1130 a) are configured relative to each other.The four independent coils 1110 a are made from a single component usinga Flat Printed Coil (FP Coil) technique. The FP coil 1110 a is thenfolded up. FIG. 11A illustrates how the magnet 1130 a is poled, and inthis way the Lorentz forces are generated by the fringing field of themagnet, which proceeds around the sides of the magnet from North toSouth. It is the component of the magnetic field in directionsorthogonal to the poling axis of the magnet 1130 that generates theLorentz forces.

The Hall sensors 1150 a, as show in FIG. 11A, are located close to theplane of symmetry of the magnet 1130 a orthogonal to the polingdirection. At this plane, nominally the Hall sensors 1150 a will notproduce an output sensing voltage when appropriately driven. However,when the magnet 1130 a moves in response to the Lorentz forces from theCoils 1110 a, so that the Hall sensors 1150 a are no longer on the planeof symmetry, there will be a net magnetic field orthogonal to the polingdirection, and this will generate a Hall effect voltage that can besensed, indicating the magnet 1130 a position. Note that in FIG. 11A,the Hall sensors 1150 a are not mounted directly to the FPC coil. Thereis an FPC used to mount the Hall sensors and electrically connect to theFP Coil. This is not shown in FIG. 11A, but is illustrated in as part ofthe assembly flow discussed below.

FIG. 11B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a coil and magnetarrangement for a lens and mirror assembly for a camera for use with inportable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. Achassis 1170 b is attached to a magnet 1130 b, hall sensors 1150 b andFP coils 1110 b. FIG. 11B shows in more detail how the coils 1110 b andmagnet 1130 b (and hall sensors 1150 b used to detect or measure theposition of the magnet 1130 b) are configured relative to each other.The four independent coils 1110 b are made from a single component usinga Flat Printed Coil (FP Coil) technique. The FP coil 1110 b is thenfolded up. FIG. 11B illustrates how the magnet 1130 b is poled, and inthis way the Lorentz forces are generated by the fringing field of themagnet, which proceeds around the sides of the magnet from North toSouth. It is the component of the magnetic field in directionsorthogonal to the poling axis of the magnet 1130 b that generates theLorentz forces.

The Hall sensors 1150 b, as show in FIG. 11B, are located close to theplane of symmetry of the magnet 1130 b orthogonal to the polingdirection. At this plane, nominally the Hall sensors 1150 b will notproduce an output sensing voltage when appropriately driven. However,when the magnet 1130 b moves in response to the Lorentz forces from theCoils 1110 b, so that the Hall sensors 1150 b are no longer on the planeof symmetry, there will be a net magnetic field orthogonal to the polingdirection, and this will generate a Hall effect voltage that can besensed, indicating the magnet 1130 b position. Note that in FIG. 11B,the Hall sensors 1150 b are not mounted directly to the FPC coil. Thereis an FPC used to mount the Hall sensors and electrically connect to theFP Coil.

FIG. 12A depicts a coil and magnet arrangement for a lens and mirrorassembly for a camera for use with in portable multifunction device inaccordance with some embodiments. A chassis 1270 a is attached to amagnet 1230 a, hall sensors 1250 a and FP coils 1210 a. FIG. 12A showsin more detail how the coils 1210 a and magnet 1230 a (and hall sensors1250 a used to detect or measure the position of the magnet 1230 a) areconfigured relative to each other. The four independent coils 1210 a aremade from a single component using a Flat Printed Coil (FP Coil)technique. The FP coil 1210 a is then folded up. It is the component ofthe magnetic field in directions orthogonal to the poling axis of themagnet 1230 a that generates the Lorentz forces.

The Hall sensors 1250 a, as show in FIG. 12A, are located close to theplane of symmetry of the magnet 1250 a orthogonal to the polingdirection. At this plane, nominally the Hall sensors 1250 a will notproduce an output sensing voltage when appropriately driven. However,when the magnet 1230 a moves in response to the Lorentz forces from theCoils 1210 a, so that the Hall sensors 1250 a are no longer on the planeof symmetry, there will be a net magnetic field orthogonal to the polingdirection, and this will generate a Hall effect voltage that can besensed, indicating the magnet 1230 a position. Note that in FIG. 12, theHall sensors 1250 a are not mounted directly to the FPC coil. There isan FPC used to mount the Hall sensors and electrically connect to the FPCoil. This is not shown in FIG. 12A, but is illustrated in as part ofthe assembly flow discussed below.

FIG. 12B depicts a coil and magnet arrangement for a lens and mirrorassembly for a camera for use with in portable multifunction device inaccordance with some embodiments. A chassis 1270 b is attached to amagnet 1230 b, hall sensors 1250 b and FP coils 1210 b. FIG. 12B showsin more detail how the coils 1210 b and magnet 1230 b (and hall sensors1250 b used to detect or measure the position of the magnet 1230 b) areconfigured relative to each other. The four independent coils 1210 b aremade from a single component using a Flat Printed Coil (FP Coil)technique. The FP coil 1210 b is then folded up. It is the component ofthe magnetic field in directions orthogonal to the poling axis of themagnet 1230 b that generates the Lorentz forces.

The Hall sensors 1250 b, as show in FIG. 12B, are located close to theplane of symmetry of the magnet 1250 b orthogonal to the polingdirection. At this plane, nominally the Hall sensors 1250 b will notproduce an output sensing voltage when appropriately driven. However,when the magnet 1230 b moves in response to the Lorentz forces from theCoils 1210 b, so that the Hall sensors 1250 b are no longer on the planeof symmetry, there will be a net magnetic field orthogonal to the polingdirection, and this will generate a Hall effect voltage that can besensed, indicating the magnet 1230 b position. Note that in FIG. 12B,the Hall sensors 1250 b are not mounted directly to the FPC coil. Thereis an FPC used to mount the Hall sensors and electrically connect to theFP Coil. This is not shown in FIG. 12B, but is illustrated in as part ofthe assembly flow discussed below.

FIG. 13 illustrates components of a coil and magnet arrangement for alens and mirror assembly for a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. Chassis 1370with FP coils 1310 is shown.

FIG. 14 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 14 showshow the FP coil 1410, FPC 1450 with Gyro 1440 and Driver 1430 and otherpassive components (not shown), and Hall sensors 1450 b are mountedinside the fixed OIS chassis, and form the fixed half of the OISactuator. The OIS Chassis includes a pivot about when the mirror tilts.

FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate assembly of components of a camera for use within portable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. Afirst portion 1510, a second portion 1520, and a spring 1530 are shown.FIGS. 15A-15C show the assembly of the moving portion of the OISactuator, and includes the Moving Pivot and Mirror Mount, which sandwichthe Magnet. Note the four L-shaped protrusions on the Moving Pivot thatact as the drop-test endstops for the OIS actuator, and prevent theactuator, and particularly the Spring, being damaged during impact. ThisConfiguration of L-shaped protrusions extend through the OIS Chassis andare then retained by two End-stop Plates to realize these features asend-stops to limit the motion separating the halves of the pivot duringimpact. Note the Spring that is heatstaked to the Mirror Mount.

FIGS. 16A-16C depict assembly of components of a camera for use with inportable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. Afirst portion 1610, a second portion 1620, and a third portion 1630 areshown.

FIGS. 17A-17C illustrate assembly of components of a camera for use within portable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. Afirst portion 1710, a second portion 1720, and a magnet 1730 are shown.

FIG. 18 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. A firstportion 1810, a magnet 1820, and a driver 1830, a hall sensor 1880, andan FPC 1890 are shown.

FIG. 19 illustrates components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. A firstassembly 1900 and a second assembly 1910 are shown. FIG. 19 illustratesthe assembly flow where the moving Magnet assembly is mounted to thefixed OIS Chassis. The Spring is heatstaked to the OIS Chassis throughthe holes in the Mirror Mount. The End-stop plates are then heatstakedto the OIS Chassis to retain the Moving Pivot. The Mirror is then bondedto the Mirror Mount.

FIG. 20 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. A firstassembly 2000 and a second assembly 2010 are shown. FIG. 19 illustratesthe assembly flow where the moving Magnet assembly is mounted to thefixed OIS Chassis. The Spring is heatstaked to the OIS Chassis throughthe holes in the Mirror Mount. The End-stop plates are then heatstakedto the OIS Chassis to retain the Moving Pivot. The Mirror is then bondedto the Mirror Mount.

FIGS. 21A-21B illustrate components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. A firstassembly 2100 and a second assembly 2110 are shown. FIGS. 21A-21B showthe fixed Chassis to which two lens elements are mounts, and to whichthe OIS mechanism and mirror are bonded. The FPC is then appropriatelyrouted and also bonded to the fixed Chassis.

FIG. 22 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. A firstassembly 2200 and a second assembly 2210 are shown.

FIG. 23 illustrates components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 23 showsan assembled mechanism 2300 containing the fixed Chassis to which twolens elements are mounts, and to which the OIS mechanism and mirror arebonded. The FPC is then appropriately routed and also bonded to thefixed Chassis.

FIG. 24 depicts components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 24 showshow this whole Mirror Assembly 2400 is joined to the Zoom assembly 2410and the electrical connections are made to the FPC before the coveringcan is bonded in place.

FIG. 25 illustrates components of a camera for use with in portablemultifunction device in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 25 showshow this whole Mirror Assembly 2500 is joined to the Zoom assembly 2510and with the can bonded in place.

Example Operations

FIG. 26A is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method formirror tilt actuation. A mirror for adjusting an optical path of lightpassing through lens elements of the image capture device is tilted(block 2600).

FIG. 26B is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method formirror tilt actuation. Input representing motion of an image capturedevice is received (block 2610). A mirror for adjusting an optical pathof light passing through lens elements of the image capture device istilted (block 2620).

Example Computer System

FIG. 27 illustrates computer system 2700 that is configured to executeany or all of the embodiments described above. In different embodiments,computer system 2700 may be any of various types of devices, including,but not limited to, a computer embedded in a vehicle, a computerembedded in an appliance, a personal computer system, desktop computer,laptop, notebook, tablet, slate, or netbook computer, mainframe computersystem, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, aset top box, a mobile device, a consumer device, video game console,handheld video game device, application server, storage device, atelevision, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as aswitch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronicdevice.

Various embodiments of a system and method for negotiating control of ashared audio or visual resource, as described herein, may be executed onone or more computer systems 2700, which may interact with various otherdevices. Note that any component, action, or functionality describedabove with respect to FIGS. 1-5 may be implemented on one or morecomputers configured as computer system 2700 of FIG. 27, according tovarious embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, computer system 2700includes one or more processors 2710 coupled to a system memory 2720 viaan input/output (I/O) interface 2730. Computer system 2700 furtherincludes a network interface 2740 coupled to I/O interface 2730, and oneor more input/output devices 2750, such as cursor control device 2760,keyboard 2770, and display(s) 2780. In some cases, it is contemplatedthat embodiments may be implemented using a single instance of computersystem 2700, while in other embodiments multiple such systems, ormultiple nodes making up computer system 2700, may be configured to hostdifferent portions or instances of embodiments. For example, in oneembodiment some elements may be implemented via one or more nodes ofcomputer system 2700 that are distinct from those nodes implementingother elements.

In various embodiments, computer system 2700 may be a uniprocessorsystem including one processor 2710, or a multiprocessor systemincluding several processors 2710 (e.g., two, four, eight, or anothersuitable number). Processors 2710 may be any suitable processor capableof executing instructions. For example, in various embodimentsprocessors 2710 may be general-purpose or embedded processorsimplementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs),such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitableISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors 2710 may commonly,but not necessarily, implement the same ISA.

System memory 2720 may be configured to store program instructions 2722and/or existing state information and ownership transition conditiondata 2732 accessible by processor 2710. In various embodiments, systemmemory 2720 may be implemented using any suitable memory technology,such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM(SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. Inthe illustrated embodiment, program instructions 2722 may be configuredto implement a mapping application 2724 incorporating any of thefunctionality described above. Additionally, existing state informationand ownership transition condition data 2732 of memory 2720 may includeany of the information or data structures described above. In someembodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent orstored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similarmedia separate from system memory 2720 or computer system 2700. Whilecomputer system 2700 is described as implementing the functionality offunctional blocks of previous Figures, any of the functionalitydescribed herein may be implemented via such a computer system.

In one embodiment, I/O interface 2730 may be configured to coordinateI/O traffic between processor 2710, system memory 2720, and anyperipheral devices in the device, including network interface 2740 orother peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices 2750. In someembodiments, I/O interface 2730 may perform any necessary protocol,timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from onecomponent (e.g., system memory 2720) into a format suitable for use byanother component (e.g., processor 2710). In some embodiments, I/Ointerface 2730 may include support for devices attached through varioustypes of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral ComponentInterconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB)standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/Ointerface 2730 may be split into two or more separate components, suchas a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in someembodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface 2730, suchas an interface to system memory 2720, may be incorporated directly intoprocessor 2710.

Network interface 2740 may be configured to allow data to be exchangedbetween computer system 2700 and other devices attached to a network2785 (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computersystem 2700. Network 2785 may in various embodiments include one or morenetworks including but not limited to Local Area Networks (LANs) (e.g.,an Ethernet or corporate network), Wide Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., theInternet), wireless data networks, some other electronic data network,or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, network interface2740 may support communication via wired or wireless general datanetworks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example;via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networksor digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks suchas Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/orprotocol.

Input/output devices 2750 may, in some embodiments, include one or moredisplay terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices,voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable forentering or accessing data by one or more computer systems 2700.Multiple input/output devices 2750 may be present in computer system2700 or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system 2700. Insome embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate fromcomputer system 2700 and may interact with one or more nodes of computersystem 2700 through a wired or wireless connection, such as over networkinterface 2740.

As shown in FIG. 27, memory 2720 may include program instructions 2722,which may be processor-executable to implement any element or actiondescribed above. In one embodiment, the program instructions mayimplement the methods described above, such as the methods illustratedby FIG. 8. In other embodiments, different elements and data may beincluded. Note that data 2732 may include any data or informationdescribed above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system 2700 ismerely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may includeany combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicatedfunctions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances,PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, etc. Computer system 2700 may also beconnected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead mayoperate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality providedby the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined infewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, insome embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustratedcomponents may not be provided and/or other additional functionality maybe available.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various itemsare illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while beingused, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memoryand other storage devices for purposes of memory management and dataintegrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of thesoftware components may execute in memory on another device andcommunicate with the illustrated computer system via inter-computercommunication. Some or all of the system components or data structuresmay also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on acomputer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by anappropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. Insome embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible mediumseparate from computer system 2700 may be transmitted to computer system2700 via transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as a network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments mayfurther include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or dataimplemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon acomputer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, a computer-accessiblemedium may include a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium ormemory medium such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk orDVD/CD-ROM, volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR,RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc. In some embodiments, a computer-accessiblemedium may include transmission media or signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication mediumsuch as network and/or a wireless link.

The methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware,or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, theorder of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elementsmay be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Variousmodifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a personskilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The variousembodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and notlimiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvementsare possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided forcomponents described herein as a single instance. Boundaries betweenvarious components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary,and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specificillustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality areenvisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally,structures and functionality presented as discrete components in theexemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure orcomponent. These and other variations, modifications, additions, andimprovements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in theclaims that follow.

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A camera, comprising: an image sensor; a lightfolding element that receives light along a first optical axis and foldsa path of light from the first optical axis to a plurality of lenselements that share a second optical axis; an actuator to tilt the lightfolding element, wherein the actuator comprises: one or more coils; amovable magnet; and a sensor to produce at least one output thatindicates a position of the movable magnet; and a lens assembly thatincludes the plurality of lens elements, wherein the lens assembly isadjustable to change a focal length of the camera.
 22. The camera ofclaim 21, wherein the actuator is attached to a driver circuit fortilting light folding element to stabilize an image captured by theimage sensor.
 23. The camera of claim 21, wherein: the one or more coilscomprise non-moving coils disposed around sides of the movable magnet;and when driven with electric signals, the non-moving coils generateLorentz forces that tend to tilt the movable magnet and the lightfolding element.
 24. The camera of claim 21, wherein: the lens assemblycomprises a lens group that includes one or more lens elements of theplurality of lens elements; and the lens group is movable along thesecond optical axis, relative to the image sensor.
 25. The camera ofclaim 24, wherein: the lens group is a first lens group; the lensassembly comprises a second lens group that is movable along the secondoptical axis, relative to the image sensor.
 26. The camera of claim 25,wherein the first lens group and the second lens group are movableindependently of each other.
 27. The camera of claim 26, wherein thelens assembly further comprises: a third lens group that is stationaryrelative to the image sensor.
 28. A system, comprising: a light foldingelement to receive light along a first optical axis and fold a path oflight from the first optical axis to a plurality of lens elements thatshare a second optical axis; an actuator to tilt the light foldingelement, wherein the actuator comprises: one or more coils; a movablemagnet; and a sensor to produce at least one output that indicates aposition of the movable magnet; and a lens assembly that includes theplurality of lens elements, wherein the lens assembly is adjustable tochange a focal length of the system.
 29. The system of claim 28, whereinthe actuator is attached to a driver circuit for tilting light foldingelement to provide optical image stabilization (OIS) for an imagecaptured by the image sensor.
 30. The system of claim 28, wherein: theone or more coils comprise non-moving coils disposed around sides of themovable magnet; and when driven with electric signals, the non-movingcoils generate Lorentz forces that tend to tilt the movable magnet andthe light folding element.
 31. The system of claim 30, furthercomprising: a mount to which the light folding element and the magnetare attached; and a chassis to which the non-moving coils are attached,wherein the chassis comprises a pivot about which the light foldingelement tilts.
 32. The system of claim 28, wherein: the lens assemblycomprises: a first lens group that includes a first set of one or morelens elements of the plurality of lens elements; and a second lens groupthat includes a second set of one or more lens elements of the pluralityof lens elements; and the first lens group and the second lens group aremovable independently of one another and relative to the image sensor.33. The system of claim 32, wherein the lens assembly further comprises:a third lens group that is stationary relative to the image sensor. 34.The system of claim 28, wherein: the image sensor comprises a surface towhich light that passes through the lens assembly is directed; and thesurface is orthogonal to the second optical axis.
 35. The system ofclaim 28, wherein: the image sensor comprises a surface to which lightthat passes through the lens assembly is directed; and the surface isparallel to the second optical axis.
 36. A device, comprising: one ormore processors; memory storing program instructions executable by theone or more processors to control operations of a camera; and thecamera, comprising: an image sensor; a light folding element thatreceives light along a first optical axis and folds a path of light fromthe first optical axis to a plurality of lens elements that share asecond optical axis; an actuator to tilt the light folding element,wherein the actuator comprises: one or more coils; a movable magnet; anda sensor to produce at least one output that indicates a position of themovable magnet; and a lens assembly that includes the plurality of lenselements, wherein the lens assembly is adjustable to change a focallength of the camera.
 37. The device of claim 36, wherein the actuatoris attached to a driver circuit for tilting light folding element tostabilize an image captured by the image sensor.
 38. The device of claim36, wherein: the one or more coils comprise non-moving coils disposedaround sides of the movable magnet; and when driven with electricsignals, the non-moving coils generate Lorentz forces that tend to tiltthe movable magnet and the light folding element.
 39. The device ofclaim 38, wherein the camera further comprises: a mount to which thelight folding element and the magnet are attached; and a chassis towhich the non-moving coils are attached, wherein the chassis comprises apivot about which the light folding element tilts.
 40. The device ofclaim 36, wherein: the lens assembly comprises: a first lens group thatincludes a first set of one or more lens elements of the plurality oflens elements, wherein the first lens group is movable relative to theimage sensor; a second lens group that includes a second set of one ormore lens elements of the plurality of lens elements, wherein the secondlens group is stationary relative to the first lens group and the imagesensor.